Fifth-Power Altitude Dependence of Particle Precipitation at The Minimum Geomagnetic Field Position
Department of Chemistry & Physics, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA
Abstract
Abstract: The fifth power altitude dependence of magnetospheric particle precipitation near the geomagnetic
equator in the altitude range of 160 to 300 km during moderate geomagnetic conditions has been explained. In the
atmosphere, the observed altitude dependence of proton flux can be due to a number of factors such as (i) source
attenuation, (ii) charge exchange loss of protons, (iii) proton loss due to atmospheric ionization, and (iv) proton loss
due to pitch angle diffusion in the loss cone. Each of these causes has been discussed to estimate the importance in the explanation of the observed proton flux variation with altitude
